Gov. Brian Kemp Monday outlined plans to gradually reopen Georgia’s economy. The governor’s order will allow gyms, bowling alleys, salons and some other indoor facilities closed under his shelter in place order to resume operations by Friday if they comply with social distancing requirements and meet other safety standards.
Restaurants will be allowed to resume dine-in service and theaters and private social clubs will be allowed to reopen on Monday, April 27 if they meet guidelines Kemp’s office will release later this week.
Kemp said more hospitals and dental offices will be cleared to resume elective procedures that many voluntarily canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I believe Georgia is positioned to secure the necessary personal protective equipment for healthcare facilities to resume elective surgeries deemed essential,” Kemp said during a press conference outside the State Capitol. He said the millions of dollars a day some healthcare facilities are losing is not sustainable.
White House push to get economy moving
Monday’s announcement comes amid increased political and public pressure from some sectors to get the state’s economy moving again, but not everyone is getting back to work. Bars, nightclubs, amusement parks, and live performance venues will remain closed.
“Today’s announcement is a small step forward and should be treated as such,” the governor said. Kemp is taking his cues on the economy from the White House which last week issued guidelines for phased-in reopenings.
“According to the Department of Public Health, reports of emergency room visits for flu-like illnesses are declining, documented COVID-19 cases have flattened and appear to be declining, and we have seen declining emergency room visits in general,” Kemp said.
At the same time that he’s easing up on business restrictions, Kemp continues to urge Georgians to shelter in place through April 30. He urged elderly Georgians and those considered “medically fragile” to shelter in place through May 13 when the state public health emergency order expires.
In-person church services are allowed under Phase One guidelines but must be done in accordance with strict social distancing protocols.
During his remarks Monday, the governor also announced it’s broadened its partnership with the state’s higher education system to increase testing capacity. The Georgia National Guard will also dispatch ten new strike teams to help administer testing. Kemp urged Georgians to download a free app this week from Augusta University to screen for the disease.
